Geotechnical Laboratory

The Geotechnical Laboratory supports a very large, nine-year, slope stability project conducted jointly by the Department of Geosciences at Western Michigan University and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Geotechnical data are obtained from a large area of slumping Lake Michigan coastal bluff. This provides classification and strength data used for predictions as to whether segments of the bluff are stable or are susceptible to the development of slow or catastrophic landslides. Laboratory data support the following research activities:

Computer modeling of slope stability under a variety of ground water loading, wave erosion and surcharge loading condition.

Correlation of soils among outcrops and drill cores.

Engineering characterization of soils and comparisons with failing soils at other sites.

Moisture contents of potentially failing soils.

The laboratory provides the capabilities for classification and establishment of strength characteristics for soils. All of these tests conform to the American Society for Testing and Materials International standards. The tests we conduct are:

Atterberg limits testing

Consolidation testing

Gradation analyses for all size ranges

Heavy and magnetic mineral separations and analyses

High resolution polarized or unpolarized microscopy and digital photomicrography